Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, allegedly found themselves stranded at a hotel in Pretoria, South Africa, following a payment dispute involving the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
The team arrived in South Africa on Tuesday ahead of two international friendly matches against Lesotho scheduled for June 4 and June 7 at Lucas Moripe Stadium. However, preparations for the friendlies were overshadowed by accommodation challenges shortly after the team’s arrival.
Players Reject Initial Hotel Over Standards
According to reports, the squad initially declined to stay at the accommodation arranged for them, citing concerns over the quality and suitability of the lodging.
The team was subsequently moved to a better hotel in Pretoria. However, a new problem emerged when the hotel reportedly required payment before check-in, and FKF had not settled the bill in advance.
As a result, players and members of the technical bench were left waiting in the hotel lobby for more than three hours as officials sought to resolve the situation.
Witnesses reported that players and staff spent the extended period seated around the lobby’s sofas and pendant-lit reception area while awaiting clearance to access their rooms.
“Players and officials have consequently been stranded, spending over three hours seated in the hotel lobby as they await clearance to check in, with the hotel unable to admit them without payment confirmation,” wrote Kenyan journalist Kevin Teya on X.
Despite the off-field disruptions, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy remains focused on preparing his squad as Kenya continues its build-up toward the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The matches against Lesotho provide McCarthy with an opportunity to assess players, test tactical approaches, and continue building a competitive squad ahead of upcoming AFCON qualifying campaigns.
With the team now expected to settle into camp, attention will shift to preparations for the two encounters at Lucas Moripe Stadium, where Harambee Stars will look to gain valuable match experience despite the turbulent start to their South African trip.
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